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Because of an excess of spambot activity, I have blocked new registrations. I hate taking such drastic measures, but I don't have time to clean up all the false registrations that result from whatever attack list I landed on. I will likely revise this in the future once I've upgraded some of my code, but until then, please email me if you would like a user account. Most days, you'll get a login within a few daylight hours. Please let me know:

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The WatchCat spent a year in Russia and the Middle East in preparation for a government career. Unfortunately she got in a little too deep, and health problems sabotaged her career before it began. The future? Now there's an open question. She gets her paws in the action whenever possible, with or without a paycheck. WatchCat keeps busy supporting the troops, recruiting pararescue candidates, yelling at traitors and helping people navigate the grey areas on international everything.

A close family member is active duty US military, but due to OPSEC (and the general need for family peace), WatchCat is unable to write about that person's activities. She makes the most of the opportunities that God gives her, knowing that she should be dead by now.

And yes, she is married & is going to stay married. Smacks upside the head are delivered as needed to those who don't understand this.

WatchCat's Amazon

Any Amazon.com shopping you do via these links will help keep WatchCat in cream & ammo:

General, then Colonel, James Howard, was the only fighter pilot to be
awarded the Medal Of Honor in the European theater of WWII.

From his citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of
duty in action with the enemy near Oschersleben, Germany, on 11
January 1944. On that day Col. Howard was the leader of a group of
P-51 aircraft providing support for a heavy bomber formation on a
long-range mission deep in enemy territory. As Col. Howard's group met
the bombers in the target area the bomber force was attacked by
numerous enemy fighters. Col. Howard, with his group, at once engaged
the enemy and himself destroyed a German ME. 110. As a result of this
attack Col. Howard lost contact with his group, and at once returned
to the level of the bomber formation. He then saw that the bombers
were being heavily attacked by enemy airplanes and that no other
friendly fighters were at hand. While Col. Howard could have waited to
attempt to assemble his group before engaging the enemy, he chose
instead to attack single-handed a formation of more than 30 German
airplanes. With utter disregard for his own safety he immediately
pressed home determined attacks for some 30 minutes, during which time
he destroyed 3 enemy airplanes and probably destroyed and damaged
others. Toward the end of this engagement 3 of his guns went out of
action and his fuel supply was becoming dangerously low. Despite these
handicaps and the almost insuperable odds against him, Col. Howard
continued his aggressive action in an attempt to protect the bombers
from the numerous fighters. His skill, courage, and intrepidity on
this occasion set an example of heroism which will be an inspiration
to the U.S. Armed Forces

Tech Sgt. Charles Coolidge was born in 1921 in Tennessee, where he
still live and works in the family business. In 2006 he was awarded
the Légion d'honneur by officials of the French consulate.

From his Medal Of Honor citation:
Leading a section of heavy machine guns supported by 1 platoon of
Company K, he took a position near Hill 623, east of Belmont sur
Buttant, France, on October 24, 1944, with the mission of covering the
right flank of the 3d Battalion and supporting its action. T/Sgt.
Coolidge went forward with a Sergeant of Company K to reconnoiter
positions for coordinating the fires of the light and heavy machine
guns. They ran into an enemy force in the woods estimated to be an
infantry company. T/Sgt. Coolidge, attempting to bluff the Germans by
a show of assurance and boldness called upon them to surrender,
whereupon the enemy opened fire. With his carbine, T/Sgt. Coolidge
wounded 2 of them. There being no officer present with the force,
T/Sgt. Coolidge at once assumed command. Many of the men were
replacements recently arrived; this was their first experience under
fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge, unmindful of the enemy fire delivered at close
range, walked along the position, calming and encouraging his men and
directing their fire. The attack was thrown back. Through 25 and
October 26, the enemy launched repeated attacks against the position
of this combat group but each was repulsed due to T/Sgt. Coolidge's
able leadership. On October 27, German infantry, supported by 2 tanks,
made a determined attack on the position. The area was swept by enemy
small arms, machine gun, and tank fire. T/Sgt. Coolidge armed himself
with a bazooka and advanced to within 25 yards of the tanks. His
bazooka failed to function and he threw it aside. Securing all the
hand grenades he could carry, he crawled forward and inflicted heavy
casualties on the advancing enemy. Finally it became apparent that the
enemy, in greatly superior force, supported by tanks, would overrun
the position. T/Sgt. Coolidge, displaying great coolness and courage,
directed and conducted an orderly withdrawal, being himself the last
to leave the position. As a result of T/Sgt. Coolidge's heroic and
superior leadership, the mission of this combat group was accomplished
throughout 4 days of continuous fighting against numerically superior
enemy troops in rain and cold and amid dense woods.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so
others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them
Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When
There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more
information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on
your site, you can go here.

Maj. Richard Bong is the United States' highest-scoring air ace,
having shot down at least 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II. He
was a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and a
recipient of the Medal of Honor. All of his aerial victories were in
the P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft.

Sgt. Greg N. Riewer, 28, of Frazee, was killed while on patrol March
23, 2007 in Fallujah with soldiers from the Bemidji-based Company A,
2nd Battalion, 136th Infantry, when his vehicle was struck by a
roadside bomb, the Guard said.

"The loss of Sgt. Riewer is a tragedy," Maj. Gen. Larry Shellito, the
adjutant general of Minnesota, said in a statement. "He was proudly
serving his state and nation in a combat zone when he was taken from
us."

On January 7, 1945, McGuire was leading a group of four P-38s -
himself, Major Jack Rittmayer (four victories), Captain Edwin Weaver
(two victories) and Lieutenant Douglas Thropp (one victory) - on a
fighter sweep over northern Negros Island in the central Philippines.
Their aim was to gain victories. McGuire desperately wanted to pass
Major Richard Bong's score of 40 kills. Descending through cloud
cover, McGuire’s flight circled a Japanese airfield at Fabrica and
then proceeded to a second airstrip at Manapla (also referred to as
Carolina). As they approached Manapla, they were confronted by a lone
Ki-43 “Oscar”, which immediately engaged McGuire's
flight.

A fighter pilot who has brought down five or more enemy aircraft was
called a flying ace. From December 1943 to Aug. 9, 1944, Beerbower
became a triple ace, shooting down more than 15 German planes, making
him the second highest ace in the 9th Air Force.

Due to pilot losses and Beerbower’s own advancements based on flying
and leadership skills, Beerbower was promoted to major and made
squadron commander in June 1944 — less than nine months after his
arrival in Europe. At only 22 years old, he already was a great
fighter pilot, respected and liked by the men in his
squadron.

We all know about the Navajo Code Talkers, but chances are you've
never heard of the Tlingit Code Talkers from Alaska. During a
ceremony on November 20, they were finally recognized for the
contribution in the war with Congressional Gold
Medals.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty: Master Sergeant Woodrow W. Keeble
distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Sangsan-ni,
Korea, on October 20, 1951. On that day, Master Sergeant Keeble was an
acting platoon leader for the support platoon in Company G, 19th
Infantry, in the attack on Hill 765, a steep and rugged position that
was well defended by the enemy. Leading the support platoon, Master
Sergeant Keeble saw that the attacking elements had become pinned down
on the slope by heavy enemy fire from three well-fortified and
strategically placed enemy positions. With complete disregard for his
personal safety, Master Sergeant Keeble dashed forward and joined the
pinned-down platoon. Then, hugging the ground, Master Sergeant Keeble
crawled forward alone until he was in close proximity to one of the
hostile machine-gun emplacements. Ignoring the heavy fire that the
crew trained on him, Master Sergeant Keeble activated a grenade and
threw it with great accuracy, successfully destroying the position.
Continuing his one-man assault, he moved to the second enemy position
and destroyed it with another grenade. Despite the fact that the enemy
troops were now directing their firepower against him and unleashing a
shower of grenades in a frantic attempt to stop his advance, he moved
forward against the third hostile emplacement, and skillfully
neutralized the remaining enemy position. As his comrades moved
forward to join him, Master Sergeant Keeble continued to direct
accurate fire against nearby trenches, inflicting heavy casualties on
the enemy. Inspired by his courage, Company G successfully moved
forward and seized its important objective. The extraordinary courage,
selfless service, and devotion to duty displayed that day by Master
Sergeant Keeble was an inspiration to all around him and reflected
great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States
Army

Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland "Lou" Diamond is famous within the U.S.
Marine Corps as the classic example of the "Old Breed" — tough,
hard-fighting career Marines who served in the corps in the years
between World War I and World War II.

Patriotic Website Award

Truth

"Even to the death fight for truth, and the Lord your God will battle for you." -Sirach 4:28

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PJ Country

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" -Isaiah 6:8

As many of you are aware, the PJCountry blog disappeared in November 2008.
I'm doing my best to help the pararescue community by sharing PJ-related news and events on my blog. The following information may be helpful:

You will find answers to many questions at pararescue.com and specialtactics.com

If you're ready to become a PJ, you'll need to decide between Active Duty and Reserve. This will determine who will handle your official recruitment. Visit Contacts and POCs to find the appropriate person or email me.

304th Pararescue Team (Reserve) (Oregon)
If you're on the west coast near Oregon and are considering being a PJ/CRO on the Portland Pararescue Team (commitment of 4 years beyond training), contact TSgt Stanley Iakopo at stanley.iakopo AT us.af.mil or email me.

I have no official role with pararescue or other SpecOps but I know enough to get you connected to the right people. Email to CAT at THEWATCHCAT dot NET

Jubilate Agno, Fragment B

[For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry]

by Christopher Smart

For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in
his way.
For is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant
quickness.
For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For he purrs in thankfulness when God tells him he's a good Cat.
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.
For every house is incomplete without him, and a blessing is lacking in
the spirit.
For he is the cleanest in the use of his forepaws of any quadruped.
For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.
For by stroking of him I have found out electricity.